"I'll be home soon. I promise."

"Mycroft, you've been gone since yesterday. What are you planning? Surely your mum doesn't need that much help around the house. You surely aren't the person to be doing such things." Adele teased, walking in the small parameter that the phone cord provided her. An apple in one hand, the phone tucked between her shoulder, the paper sitting in her hands as she started to scan an article.

"Oh, bullocks. I'm perfectly handy. There just hasn't been a time for me to be handy."

"I call your bullshit and raise you 3 pounds." Adele said simply. Mycroft was not handy, he'd much rather call a plumber than take a plunger to the toilet. She loved him despite it though.

"You're a doll, did you know that? You're an absolute doll. I have to run now, I'll talk to you later, okay? Bye."

"I know, that's why I'm so loveable. Okay, I'll talk to you later. Call me before bed?"

"I'll see, okay? I really have to run." Mycroft said. "I love you." With that, he hung up.

"I cannot believe you are letting her think that you are helping me with anything 'handy'." Violet chimed in.

Mycroft gave a small shrug. "Well, I can't just tell her I'm going to go look at engagement rings, now can I?" Mycroft retorted.

"I do suppose not. Don't you think it'd be easier to go to London and do this?" Violet asked.

Mycroft shook his head. "No, they all look the same in London. I want unique." He said.

A few hours later and many shops, Mycroft and Violet had finally found a ring. Violet had chastised just about everything ring Mycroft had picked out, except for one. He didn't like that one, but they had finally agreed on one., it was a simple gold band with a diamond in the center with two diamonds next to it. The band also had a few small diamonds set into it. Overall, it was a lovely ring. Nothing too blingy, but the diamonds were clear and it was worth a small chunk of money.

"Do you think she'll say yes?" Violet asked, sipping at the tea that was in front of her.

"I believe so. I don't see why she wouldn't."

"Are you sure she's 'the one', Mycroft?"

"Mum, we've been over this, yes. I do love her, she's brilliant and wonderful. Not many people could have met Sherlock and still want to be with me." he said a bit bitterly.

"I mean, do you think she's…up to par?"

"Are you talking about in social standing? Mum, her father is a very well respected police man and her mother is a beloved elementary teacher. They aren't wealthy by any means, but yes. I do think she is." The nerve of his mother.

"If you say so." Violet said gently.

Mycroft simply shook his head and stood up. "I really should pack if I want to catch the train." He called out.

"You're leaving already?"

"Of course, with the way youre acting, why would I want to stay, mum?"

The train ride was actually quite dull, Mycroft had been put in the proximity of a man who was attempting a crossword puzzle, but wasn't quite getting it and was muttering all the answers out. The train ride back to London, was needless to say a long one. He was happy once he arrived back to their flat though. He could tell Adele was asleep, because the only light coming from their third floor flat was the telly from their bedroom. She slept with it on when he was gone. Smiling slightly, Mycroft let himself into the building and up to the flat. Letting himself in, he looked towards their room, before flinging his coat on the couch and taking off his shoes. Locking the door, he sighed for a moment as he reached for the box in his pocket. Was he really making the right choice? Sure he was. Walking into the bedroom, Mycroft changed quickly, before sliding into bed. "Adele." He whispered.

"Mm?" Adele muttered, not bothering to move.

"I'm home."

"I gathered as much. Why did you wake me up?"

"Because I missed you."

"If you want to shag, you're going to have to wait until morning, I'm tired." She said sleepily.

"I'd enjoy that, but I'm not in any particular mood." He said, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "Wake up, I have a question."

"Can't it wait until tomorrow, Mycroft?"

"No, wake up, please." He said, kissing her neck, taking that moment to get the ring box out.

"Fine, fine." She muttered, rolling over and looking at him. "Why don't you give me a proper kiss first?"

"If you insist." He said, leaning down to kiss her.

"What did you want?"

"Will you marry me?" he asked, watching her as he held out the ring box.

Adele just stared at him for a moment. Was this a dream? It couldn't be, could it? "What?"

"Adele, you heard me, will you marry me?" he said with a small smile.

Adele just again stared at him before it finally hit her, Mycroft was proposing. He was proposing! "Oh! Of course!" she said and grinned. "Mycroft!" she said, leaning over and hugging him.

"Oh, wonderful." He said. Taking the ring out of the box, he slid it on her finger. "I love you, so much, you do know that right? I don't show it often, but I do." Mycroft said. Kissing her forehead.

"I know, I love you too." She said and smiled.

x-x-x-x

Christmas had come and gone, Adele had spent it mainly alone. One of her friends had lured her out for Christmas brunch with her family, but that was about it. She was cleaning, for whatever reason. There was no reason to clean. Adele had been mean to Mycroft, yes, but he was like a double edged sword. Part of her wanted to love him, part of him hated him, no, she really didn't hate him. She hated him for becoming so damn invested in his work. So fucking invested in it. Sighing, Adele shook her head and started going through the jewelry box, her eyes wandered to the gold bands she just couldn't get rid of. "What am I kidding? I miss you." She muttered gently, picking up the ring.